MUSCAT : The total workforce shows a marginal 0.2 percent increase from the same period in 2024.
Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) played a key role in employment generation. A breakdown of employment figures shows that micro-enterprises—those employing fewer than five workers—accounted for 37.5 percent with 677,860 workers. Small enterprises made up 29.7 percent (537,079 workers), followed by large enterprises at 24.3 percent (438,212 workers), and medium-sized businesses at 8.5 percent (153,094 workers).

Sector-wise, the private sector remained the largest employer with 1,409,215 workers, though this represented a slight 0.9 percent decrease year-on-year. In contrast, the family sector, encompassing domestic and informal workers, saw a growth of 4.7 per cent, reaching 349,517 employees. Meanwhile, the public sector saw a slight decline of 0.6 percent, employing 41,815 individuals.

Expatriate workers constitute a large portion of the workforce, with nationals from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan making up 80 percent. In this segment, 622,078 workers are from Bangladesh – showing a decline of 9.1 per cent; Indians are 507,956 (relatively stable), and Pakistanis are 314,997 – showing an increase of 8.8 percent.

The job seekers’ rate stood at 4.0 percent as of May 2025, with young adults (aged 15 to 24) and holders of higher diplomas and bachelor’s degrees experiencing the highest levels of unemployment.

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